They were first devised by Mr. Tom Townsend, who was born in the year 1971. Additional information can be viewed in a .pdf file, which can be found at the website of the Cambridge University Bridge Club. These particular opening bids were developed during his stay at the univeristy.

Note: The full designation of this write-up is The Science: Simply Scientific Four-Card Majors. The originally posted online write-up can be found on the website of the Cambridge University Bridge Club. The write-up is in .txt format.

Note: The bridge student can find his profile online at Bridge Winners.

The designation is officially The Science: Simply Scientific Four-Card Majors. This information has only been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference. The two versions may differ somewhat since the nature of the opening bids are not permanent.

Promises 4 plus Hearts. Could have longer minor if fewer than 14 points.

1 :

10-21 high card points

Promises 4 plus Spades. Could have longer minor if fewer than 14 points.

1 NT:

14-16 high card points

Shows balanced shape. (Possible 5-card Major suit.)

2 :

22+ high card points

Shows one of two shapes: either balanced or distributional.

2 :

6-10 high card points

Promises 5 Hearts or Spades.

2 :

6-10 high card points

Promises 6 Hearts.

2 :

6-10 high card points

Promises 6 Spades.

2NT:

20-21 high card points

Shows balanced shape.

Continuances

With these opening bids, the player is sometimes able to not communicate any information about a longer held Minor suit.

Once a partner has opened with any suit, a first response of 1 No Trump reveals a range between 4 and 12 points and a semi-balanced holding.

If the opener holds fewer than 13 points, the opener will pass since game is not assured.

Any 2-over-1 bidding sequence is game-forcing as is the bidding sequence: 1 any suit - 2 No Trump.

The system also employs the use of Multi 2 Diamonds and Flannery and is more accurately Acol-based.

The advantages of these opening bids is that the partnership can bid more often, more agressively and preemptively without disclosing much information to the opponents.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.